Channel 4 Dispatches programme on shared parenting

Broadcast on Monday 14th January on Channel 4, a Dispatches programme  "Sharing Mum and Dad" follows presenter Tim Lovejoy, a divorced father of two, as he investigates the current situation surrounding shared parenting following divorce or separation.

Tim hears a wide range of voices and explores the psychological effects of parental separation on children, talking to teenagers about their personal experiences.

The programme investigates the roles of mums and dads in 2013, asking whether current legislation in this area is up-to-date with the way in which modern families operate, and exploring different ways of sharing parenting post-separation.

Tim uses social media to generate debate, much of it incorporated into the film. And, in a first for Dispatches, Channel 4 is showing behind-the-scenes clips of the production process online, to help inform the debate.

There is also an online survey connected to the programme.

The Call Kaye programme on BBC Scotland picked up on the topic the following morning (interview with Tim from 15:30). 

Scottish family lawyer John Fotheringham contributed his four Shared Parenting maxims to the phone-in:

- don't argue in front of the children

- don't criticise the other parent in front of the children

- take a long view, one day you will be shared grandparenting

- act parentally in the interests of the children and don't score points off your ex-partner.